Utility device



Feb. 3, 1959 J. E. BORAH 2,871,615

UTILITY DEVICE Filed Sept. 25, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 \Q +5 as 3INVENTOR.

JOHN E. BOR AH BY 7 @M ATTORNEY Feb, 3, J. E BORAH UTILITY DEVICE FiledSept. 23, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JOHN a. noun FIG. 5 BY WWATTORNEY UTILITY DEVICE John E. Borah, Mishawaka, Ind.

Application September 23, 1957, Serial No. 685,700

8 Claims. (CI. 45-28) The present invention relates to an articleretaining device and more particularly to a device or holder which isattached to a supporting surface by suction.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide adevice adapted to be secured to a supporting surface and form aneffective seal therewith at or near the periphery of the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device secured to asupporting surface by suction and having two or more suction chambers ofdifierent sizes and relative location for attaching the device to thesurface.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of theaforesaid type having a relatively large chamber on the undersidethereof sealed at its outside edge by a circumferential sealing ringsecured to the body of the device.

Still another object is to provide a utility holder for use around thelavatory, bath tub and kitchen sink for holding bars of soap and otherarticles, having a plurality of sumps for catching the water drainingfrom the articles and being secured to a supporting surface by one ormore suction cups.

Another object is to provide an easily cleaned soap dish or the likewhich can be readily attached to and detached from a supporting surfaceand which permits a bar of soap regardless of its shape to drain and drythoroughly.

Another object is to provide a device of the aforesaid type of a onepiece construction, which is relatively easy to fabricate with standardequipment and which can easily be mounted on and firmly attached tosmall uneven supporting surfaces.

Additional objects and advantages will 'become apparent from thefollowing description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a top plan view of a soap holder or the like embodying myinvention;

Figure 2 is a vertical cross sectional 'view taken on line 22 of theholder shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the holder shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figures 4 and 5 are vertical cross sectional views of two modified formsof utility holders embodying my invention, the first figure showing theholder in its original shape detached from a supporting surface and thesecond figure showing the holder secured to a supporting surface; I

Figures 6 and 7 are vertical cross sectional views of another modifiedform of utility holder;

Figure 8 is an elevational view of a part of the moditied form of thedevice illustrated in Figures 6 and 7;

Figure 9 is a vertical cross sectional view of a further modified formof my invention; and

Figure 10 is a bottom view of the device shown in Figure 9.-

My utility holder 18, shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, consists of a discshaped body 20 of rubber or rubberbar from slipping from its verticalposition.

2,871,615 Patented Feb. 3, 1959 like material having a concave uppersurface22 draining to a centrally located cup shaped sump 24 forcatching and retaining the water dripping from a bar of soap placed onthe holder. In order to hold the bar of soap on edge so that the watercan draineflectively therefrom and flow into sump 24, and so that thebar can be easily grasped by the user to lift it from the holder, fourposts 26 are provided on the concave upper surface to hold the bar onone of its edges. These posts are spaced equally around the concavesurface and at sufiicient distance from the center that a new bar ofsoap can fit between the posts and rest on projections 28 arranged in acircle near the edge of the sump or on radially arranged ribs 30disposed between the posts. The projections and ribs contact the bottomof the soap in only limited areas and hold the soap off the uppersurface so that water can drain under the bar. This permits the soap todry over its entire surface andprevents the formation of thick soapsolutions along the lower edge of the bar and on the upper surface ofthe holder. As the bar becomes thin and small from usage the posts maybe spaced too far apart to hold the bar on one of its edges. The bar isthen leaned against two of the posts and projections 28 and/ or ribs 30,depending on the shape of thebar, prevent the If the bar of soap, isrectangular in shape the lower corners rest on the radial ribs, whereasif the bar is oval or round in shape it rests on the projections; theposition assumed 'by the oval bar is illustrated by broken lines inFigure 2 by numeral 32. Four radial grooves 36 extending from the outeredge of the concave surface and terminating at sump 24 facilitatedraining of the'soapy water into the sump and thorough drying of thesoap thereafter by permitting the air to circulate around and under thesoap. An upstanding peripheral annular flange 38 is preferably providedon the upper surface of the body to prevent the soapy water solutionfrom wet bars of soap from accidentally spilling over the outside edgeof the holder. The posts 26 are described in greater detail and claimedin my copending application Serial No. 677,426 filed August 12, 1957.

The underside of body 20 is generally concave form- .ing a chamber 39and has attached thereto a centrally located suction cup 40 supported bywalls 41 of sump 24. The outside wall of the body surrounding chamber 39is provided with an annular groove 42 near the lower edge thereof whichforms a flexible outwardly and downwardly extending sealing flange 43which is adapted 1 to contact the supporting surface for the holder toform an effective seal therewith. When the holder is pressed downwardlyto engage suction cup 40 with the supporting surface, flange 43 spreadsoutwardly, firmly engaging the surface with a substantial portion of theinternal wall thereof,

thus forming a water tight seal between the flange and surface. Sincethe flange is relatively narrow and flexible and the body of the holderis relatively thick and rigid, particularly away from the center,substantially all of the down force exerted by cup 40 is transmitted tothe flange where it is used to form the seal. 43 also gives stability tobody 2% and prevents the holder from rocking and tilting.

From the view in Figure 2 it is seen that chamber 39 is nearly as largein diameter as the body 20 and is substantially larger than suction cup40, thus leaving a relatively large unoccupied space beneath the bodybetween cup 40 and the internal wall of flange 43. The upper surface 22contains an annular groove 44 surrounding projections 28 andintersecting radial grooves 36. This annular groove is connected by aplurality of holes 46 with chamber 39 in the space external of suctioncup 40. With this construction the water draining from the soap Flangein such a structure. 1. e. sump 2'4 and chamber 39, permits continueduse on the upper surface normally flows down said surface into groove 44or down grooves 36 into sump 24 where it will remain until the holder iscleansed. However, in the event the sump becomes full, any additionalwater flows into annular groove 44, thence through holes '46 intochamber 39 whereit is retained by the seal formed by the sealing ring offlange 43 engaging the surface supporting the holder. The water whichdrains into chamber 39 is confined in the space between suction cup 40and flange 43 and keeps the surfaces adjacent the lips of the suctioncup and the flange moist so that a more effective gripping action andseal are maintained.

It is noted that sump 24 occupies the space normally used merely asastem or support for a suction cup, hence the present design utilizesspace to catch the water draining from'theso'ap which would normally bedead weight The double sump arrangement,

of the holder without soiling the surface on which the holder is'placedif care is used to clean the holder at frequent intervals; however, ifit is cleaned only occasionally, theove'rflow is contained in chamber 3?by sealof the embodiment just described; therefore, like referencecharacters have been applied to like parts and a detailed description ofthose parts omitted. The upper surface 22 of the holder shown in Figure4 is concave in shape and contains posts 26, projections 28, ridges andradial grooves 36. The underside of the body of this modification isconcave and terminates in flange 43 and'has mounted thereon four suctioncups Sil connected to the body by necks 52. These cups are spacedequally from the center and are equally spaced from one another, similarin arrangement to the small suction cups shown in Figures 9 and 10. Thelower edge of the flange 43 engages and forms an effective seal with thesupporting surface when the suction cups are pressed into grippingposition on the supporting surface. In this modification the sump 24 andsuction cup of the preceding modification have been removed and anopening is employedinstead for connecting the upper surface 'of 'theholder with a chamber 39 defined by the lower surface of body 20, flange43 and its supporting surface. An annular 'ledge 61 is interposedbetween projections 28 and hole 60 and is on the same plane as the lowerends of grooves 36. With this construction the soapy water which drainsfrom the bar of soap placed in the holder flows down the upper concavesurface 22, through opemng 60 into chamber 39 where it is retained untilthe holder is removed from the supporting surface for cleaning. Wh1lethe basic concept of forming a water retaining chamber beneath the soapholder using the supporting surface as the bottom of the chamber,sealing the present invention employs a distinct sealing flange '43formed by groove 42 with an annular body section 62 thereabove in orderto concentrate the forces securing the holder to the supporting surfaceat the flange so that an effective seal will be maintained between theundersrde of the flange and said surface.

. v The water draining into chamber 39 surrounds the lower edge of thesuction'cups and the adjacent area of thesupporting surface and therebyassists in forming and maintaining effective gripping action by thecups.

I Inthe soap holder shown in Figure 5, the-upper surface has beenprovided with a series of'annular steps 66 .which provide thin edges 68for contacting the bar of soap only at spaced points and grooves 71} forreceiving the water drainingfromthe soap. While-a plain concave uppersurface may be satisfactory for some uses, the space provided under thesoap by the grooves permits the soap to drain and dry more thoroughly.The bottom side of the holder is identical to the one shown in Figure 4and is shown in its gripping position with a supporting surface 72. Inthis figure the flaring outwardly of sealing flange 43 and theengagement of the internal surface thereof with the supportingsurfacecan be clearly seen at numeral 74.

The utility holder shown in Figures 6 and 7 is similar in many respectstothe embodiment shown inFigures 1 through 3, hence like numerals willbe used for like parts. In this embodiment my utility holder 13 isplaced in a receptacle 8t) in order to take advantage of the large waterreceiving capacity of chamber 39 without permitting the water to come incontact with the support ing surface. Holder 18 is the same as the oneshown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 with the exception that the central sump 24and suction cup 40 have been removed, leaving'a hole82 in theirplac'e.Receptacle 84} as shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8 consists of a disc shapedbody 8 having upstanding sides 86 and an annular groove 42 near thelower edge and flexible outwardly and downwardly extending sealingflange 43. The bottom surface of body'84 is concave and in cooperationwith flange 43 forms a'suction cup for securing the receptacle to asupportingsurfa'ce. In assembling holder 18 and receptacle '80 theholder is placed in-the receptacle with flange 43 of the holder restingon the upper surface of body 84. In this -'arrangement flange 43 of theholder is not depressed and the holder merely rests on the upper surfaceof the receptacle within the space defined by walls Figure 6 shows thetwo units assembled and the shape which they assume before the lowerunit 80 is secured to a supporting surface. Figure 7 shows the two unitsassembled and the lower unit gripping a supporting surface 88, with thecentral portion of body 84 depressed and flange 43 of said unitdistended and firmly engaging and forming an effective seal with thesupporting surface. With the holder of this modification, after the soaphas been used, it is placed on edge on the upper surface and is held ina "substantially vertical position by posts 26 and off surface 22 byprojections 28. The water draining fromthe soap flows down surface22through hole'82 into chamber 39 where it is retained until the two unitsare cleaned.

The holder shown in Figures 9 and 10 is similar in many respects to theholder shown in the preceding figures, the features on the upper surfacebeing the same as those shown in the embodiments of Figures 1 and 6,with the exception that only the single sump 24 is used to catch'thewater'draining from the article placed in the holder. Holes 46 have beenomitted, thus leaving chamber 39 completely enclosed when the holder isplaced on a supporting surface. The lower side of this holder isprovided with three distinct suction means so that an effective grippingaction can be obtained on either large or small supporting surfaces.Chamber 39 being completely'enclosed forms an effective suction cup inconjunction with yieldable flange 43 and alone is capable of securingthe holder firmly to a relatively large and smoothsupp'orting surface.'The center'suction cup 40 being substantially smaller than one formedby chamber 39 will effectively secure the holder to a relatively smallsupporting surface. In addition to these two suction cups, four smallsuction cups 90 are attached to the bottom surface of the body and areequally spaced from the'center and from each other. These small suctioncups permit the holder to be secured to small and uneven supportingsurfaces since the individual cups not only require merely a smallsurface to form an effective'grip but also an effective grip can beobtained with only one or two of the cups if a larger suitable surfaceis unavailable.

The holders and units described herein are usually constructed of rubberor rubber-like material; however, combinations of materials can be usedif desired. While a number of important features on both the upper andlower sides of the utility holder and of the lower unit of theembodiment shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8 are described herein, variousother combinations and changes and modifications in the featuresthemselves can be made without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

I claim:

1. A device for holding and draining soap, comprising a disc shaped bodyhaving a concave upper surface and a concave lower surface, a waterreceiving means in the center of said upper surface, a plurality ofupstanding posts spaced from one another on said upper surface, a holeconnecting said upper surface with the underside of said body, ayieldable flange at the margin of said concave lower surface, an annulargroove in the periphery of said body in close proximity to said flange,and a suction cup attached to said lower surface beneath said waterreceiving means.

2. A utility holder, comprising a disc shaped body having a concaveupper surface, a concave lower surface, a hole connecting said uppersurface with the underside of said body, a flexible flange at the marginof said concave lower surface, an annular groove in the periphery ofsaid body in close proximity to said flange, and a plurality ofrelatively small suction cups attached to said lower surface and equallyspaced from the center.

3. A utility holder, comprising a disc shaped body having a concaveupper surface, a concave lower surface, grooves and ridges on said uppersurface, a central hole connecting said upper surface with the undersideof said body, a flexible flange at the margin of said concave lowersurface, an annular groove in the periphery of said body in closeproximity to said flange, and a plurality of relatively small suctioncups attached to said lower surface and equally spaced from the center.

4. A device adapted to be secured to a supporting surface, comprising adisc shaped body having a concave lower surface, a highly flexibleflange at the margin of said concave lower surface, a shallow annulargroove 6 v in the periphery of said body, in close proximity to saidflange, and a suction cup attached to said lower surface.

5. A device for holding and draining soap, comprising a disc-shaped bodyhaving a concave upper surface and a concave lower surface, fourflexible posts spaced from one another on said upper surface, said postsbeing tapered inwardly toward the top, a hole connecting the lowestportion of said upper surface with the under side of said body, ayieldable flange at the margin of said concave lower surface, an annulargroove in the periphery of said body in close proximity to said flange,and four suction cups integrally attached to said lower surface forengaging a surface on which the device is placed.

6. A device for holding and draining soap, comprising a disc-shaped bodyhaving a concave upper surface, a plurality of flexible posts spacedfrom one another on said upper surface, a hole connecting the lowestportion of said upper surface with the under side of said body, and aplurality of suction cups integrally attached to said lower surface forengaging a surface on which the device is placed. l

7. A utility holder, comprising a disc-shaped body having a concaveupper surface, four equally spaced flexible posts on said surface, saidposts being tapered inwardly toward the top and extending upwardly andoutwardly from the upper surface of said body, and a suction cupattached to the lower surface of said body for engaging a surface onwhich the holder is placed.

8. A utility holder, comprising a body having a concave upper surface, aplurality of flexible elongated posts spaced from one another on saidupper surface, and a suction cup attached to the lower surface of saidbody for engaging a surface on which the holder is used.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATEN'IS1,753,611 Lower Apr. 8, 1930 2,069,942 Cohen Feb. 9, 1937 2,717,472Wilmington Sept. 13, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 217,689 Great Britain June 26,1924

